THE hardest and longest mtb race in the world- Really? A race this hard requires proper training and correct preparation. 10days 1200km only twice the length of the longest stage race Id done and 3times the distance. So don't do a 24hr solo race 8days before and maybe do some road riding as well. Since arriving on cairns I have missed that place a lot I had.my sponsor svc imports truck my bike up there to a Great bike shop who let me use his workshop to build.my bike enjoy the floor pump I left behind : YHA put me up for A couple of nights as I tried to climatise To 30deg mornings at 7am, so maybe this is Gona be tough. Race briefing was at a pub that had great wood fire pizzas I truly ate myself silly for 2days. International riders really outnumbered Aussie riders, but I bumped into Cory Wallace So I was not the only mad man after just doing a 24hr but this guy came 2nd in Canberra. We automatically gained Hard men status for racing worlds, but I tried to convince riders this race was harder by pointing out the lack of Aussie Riders. Why? In broken English was asked a lot. 1200km Of dirt roads in north qld against eruo pros is madness. Day one. Into the unknown. We roll out from the lagoon and Thru town I keep to the front mainly to hug any media exposure Which paid off well once it was televised, I'm not doing this Crazy race and not have any proof. So where off on our flat Dirt road race on mtb's. We are meet with a steep road climb Then a stoppage cause some one did not unlock some gates. Now racing again up unridable climb just eat u want 20k intoa A 10day epic adventure, that last word was on the brochure But failed to deliver on day one. Another closed gate haulted proceedings come on eruos I thought u guys invented cyclocross so then we ride thru brutal hills neutralized. Sit around starving for hrs In the sun only for them to re start the race again man it sucked so bad lots more climbing and I felt crap energy wise and legs I would battle with this for days, I crawled over the line depleted. Recover make tent collect bottles find bags change shower And then dinner. Prep bottles and bike bed! DAY TWO. WE ROLL OUT then the race is on and straight up From the lake we camped next to, muddy road climb thru dense Forrest make for energy sapping leg burning jersy soaked riding. Any time the road went down hill the eruos would attack but they were the longest descents ever. Scary fast stuff hard to enjoy when exhausted So I dug deep and thought to myself about my riding buddies back home and how fun they would be having if this was a Sunday bush bash with jak Rizzo shredding the down hill always looking back to See if I was smiling as much as him, then on the hills thought of Crawford Who was always keen for hill repeats, these guys got me thru today. I make it to the finish feeling the effects of being underfueled from the day before. Enjoyable spot to camp at granite gorge with. Swimming hole And lil wallabys to take photos of. Learnt a lesson today, camp near the the trucks so its less hauling bags in the morning.
DAY THREE: granite gorge to irvinebank. Most things are blury nowdays from this race, but it just hit me what made this day memorable in croc trophy language that means a nightmare. I managed to get away from the group I was in which consists of the elite euros and who ever they damage in the first 30km. Most of them were flatting today, we hit some rough riding today I did all the damage on some descents and gullys I had a dirty evil grin on me, yea roadies are u enjoying your hardtails you have just hit turner flux country not even a German import on an epic could keep up I constantly asked him about his 1.9 tyres, I barely seen him in a straight line, so I was charging but came across I bogged water station Ute. Who could not find my bottle and after me losing my shot at them I rode off not wanting to waste my effort of breaking away. I soon paid the price and was fading fast having to ride 14km wit no water, that massive group came flying past and u could not even jump on and hold on, then riding thru mango farms was just torture or was thoughts of bear grylls surviving thirst ideas creeping into my mind. Headwind ride into the finish I did really like the croc blowup banner it really put a smile on ya face having one at the start that kept stuffing up was making the hardest race in the world a joke, not much went right for the organisers.
Irvinebank was a cool spot to camp, I got to know Cory Wallace well from this day on as we shared our Canberra stories wit other riders and we took on the locals in pool holy hell they were good. I rate myself wit a cue but this old guys lived at the pub and had lots of trophies to show for it, this town even had a phone booth so it was nice to call home. Another arvo another massage and tent duties some more time on the slackline but not much, the swiss athletes dominated this toy they brought along just to watch aussies fail at but never give up. Into the tent to endure another day.
DAY FOUR: irvinebank to chillago... Heavy legs get swung over and onto the turnerflux, for another day, from where we were the only way home is through the next 6 stages, its amazing what the body will just do when it has to, todays start was like most the elites stretching the rubber band until ppl start snapping, with a great solid climb to start i was deep into the red zone early, we hit some amazing trails today and i was able to escape alot of riders through the rougher sections, high up on ridges we got great valley views but also of higher looming hills. never knowing which way we would go... we were riding on a disused railway line so the gradients were constant but smooth, with a few skatey descents to keep u guessing what was around the next bend, a feed zone was just before the 42km road section to the finish, a few mouthfulls of fruit, and onto the blacktop i go, catching another we start working together to ride it home, this defiantly dragged out but we were pushing hard to get it done i constantly was looking back to see if anyone was catching, pedal pedal in the big ring on a charge, from know where 20plus riders come flying by---had to think fast to jump on the back it was amazing i was now traveling 5km/hr faster. nothing like a sprint finish to end the day, i hot stuck out the front and tried to go alone with 1km left and was rounded up by 5riders just before the line...we were like fighting for 12-20th but you fight everyday at the croc.
It was nice to see a washing machine and a proper shower and this place even sold icecream!!!! most of the riders headed straight for the pub, i opted to walk as sitting on the saddle was getting close to umbearable by now, a solo 24hr and then humid wet riding out of cairns had done alot of damage. The local pub was cool anyone that had been there had written on the walls or ceiling, welcome to outback QLD, another arvo another "do you want a beer chops" the courtesy of guys i only just meet but been traveling thru hell with really makes the croc something to get out of bed for, YES!!!! the boys fall off there stools with hooray! they had finally cracked me... ill have a beer... but christ one coopers was enough. icecream before bed and into the tent i go, always sleeping well knowing we dont have to pack our tents up due to we were staying in chillago 2 nights.
DAY FIVE:50km out 50km back.one dirt road..... this is where the croc gets hard. just an undulating dirt road with puddles and sketchy road riders, if that dont kill you, trying to hang on to the lead bunch while acting like a yo yo might, if ya not dead yet maybe the mind numbing road that shakes the shit out of you will, oh ok so none of that did kill me, but the battle im about to tell you about was close,
Our small bunch pulls up at the last water depot, this guy on his electric bikes buzzes by...... one of the riders attacked to chase him down, FRANZ not sure what country but a short muscley guy who would look more at home hanging with angry anderson, he had more tatts than him, a fully sponsored athlete for cube, goes to chase this guy down, i attack straight from consuming watermelon and a bottle, why i dont know,,my legs just carried me, maybe i thought we could draft the electric bike rider the 25km home., me and franz work like a dog to catch him, but he then leaves us on the next climb we catch and over take then he passes us on the next climb, stupid electric bike but franz is not laying down this fight. we take turn after turn to reel him back in, must of had 5-7km to go, i put in a huge effort to get on his wheel, and as soon as i did (deeply in the red) franz yells im sure it meant GO GO GO in english but franz attacks... FARK!!!! dude we just got back on, i had to draft the Ebike till i caught my breath then i over took him and chased franz down hitting the tar together the town and finish was now close, we had left the Ebike behined we both ramped up our own wattage... passing the pub i move to his right out of the saddle i give him a big grin and a Aussie C'MON ON!!!!! up the main street attacking out of the saddle till we blew our legs, he gets me at the line. crazy crazy crazy is what i say to him when we both can talk, i ask what was all that about, he tells me back in his country him and the Ebike where at the croc to do battle "man v's machine" so he could not let him win.. lol.. pick the right battles chops..
DAY SIX R.I.P.. No one will forget this day if they were there... i stumble into the camp kitchen for breakfast..its eery quite..no one is speaking to anyone. A lady breaks into uncontrollable tears.. Then im told one of the riders passed away in his sleep. ...................................my words exactly.. The toughest day on a bike ive ever been through, the croc trophy will have you say this everyday..but today was well empty..So they nulled racing for the day but we still had to commute on our bike the 130kms on the pancake terrain in 45deg heat with no purpose to push pedals for this was torture.. I really wanted to take the chance of this day to maybe get some photos of the race, but just couldnt, i found it to disrespectful to the passed rider.
I tried to stay with the main bunch to get dragged along for the day, but martin (Rocky trail entertainment) punctured, i couldnt leave him out there alone. once back on the road we caught up to swisse/aussie michele, a real cool chilled out guy with an ironman tattoo. So we tried to work together to make life easier but we were all cooked, it was so draining sucking wheels n swapping at the front, so sat up and rolled down the road 3 wide and hoped the end was near.
I Found some entertainment with chasing cattle thru the paddocks, we witnessed some large goannas crossing the road, Then a rare Spectacle.... in the distance on the road it stands dominating over once a live animal.. martin and michele both ask what it is... in great excite i say slow down, ITS A WEDGY>>>a what????? i inform the boys an eagle thats wingspan is like 3m.. theirs eyes widen.. omg he was massive.. we managed to get somewhat close before he revved up his wings.. It took 3 massive flaps before he even lifted to fly to the nearest tree branch which creaked under his weight.. we hurried past so not to be his next victim.
We roll into camp. Not even the end of stage banner was up.. soul destroying, julianne gets me another ham and mustard sandwich, but she grabbed a spicy mustard one..god i nearly cried.
We headed off to the river to soak, now this was heaven and a few smiles started to appear.
So we are camped on a farm, our toilet..A shovel.. set up camp have a massage have dinner, then go exploring with cory wallace. A firy sunset into a full moon. So in the middle of the night for the usual toilet break standing in long grass in a spindley tree covered paddock in the middle of north queensland under a full moon making it like daylight with the thought of dingos, made for a quick wizz.
DAY SEVEN.
TO LAURA. 160km. Ripping into another fast start as per usual, after just being dropped, the lead pack hits a closed gate.. Very entertaining viewing, under, over, around, through it..lots of swearing going on.. i catch back on, but these guys were furious and the pack splinters in all sorts of shards...i manage to find myself all alone, but it was rolling farm tracks and being on your own was safer and i felt strong so i punching it up over the top of any rise..i start picking up broken riders that show the usual signs of a battle gone wrong with the lead pack. So i continue on my solo ride doing what i need to each hour on the bike, each food station would come and go, each one smacking me in the face with pineapples on split lips..faark!
from memory around 100km i notice right knee starting to hurt a lil, i look further down and my front chainring is not tracking straight.. chops you have broken your cranks.. oh no this could ruin my knee.. this could end my day my race my croc trophy.. lots of negatives went through my head fast.. well lets go for broke and just smash the shit out of whats left. My solo ride continues till the final feed station 130km is complete 30km to go.. ITs nearly 2years since this journey has passed but you dont forget the croc.. with two other riders we hit a bitumen section over a hill...........we sit up.....stop pedalling....and look at each other.... our heads drop...yes it goes down hill, yes it turns back onto dirt...but hell the road straight as anything that doesnt have a kink in it.. and for as far as the eye could see.. oh its gets better, (code for hell is on its way).. we hit the dirt at around 30-40km.. give it 50m and all 3 of us are hanging on for dear life at 15km/hr...????? confused????? Corrugations that put your insides into a blender..that shook you to your core and all the way back to the tips of ur hair..Minutes before we seen how far this road goes for.. all hopes of being complete in an hour was now out the window, i ate all the food i had n drank wen i could, and me and my turner went to work, and i just kept saying "i wana go home, i wana go home" this journey went on for 20km. finally.... i make it to the finish.. over the line and to the shade and the ever smiling julianne i ask what time i did repeatability until she did the maths... 6hrs 15min i think.. i question it.. she repeats the time.. i mumble the sydney 12hr went for less time then today.. holding back no more..ive spent everything i had to ride 130 odd kilometres solo.. i break down in tears... everything i gave everything. oh its gets better, you know what that means, in the setting sun under a tent sweating on my dinner of chicken schnitzel and potato. toughest day on the bike ever... just brutal..
DAY EIGHT.
TO COOKTOWN>
.
DAY THREE: granite gorge to irvinebank. Most things are blury nowdays from this race, but it just hit me what made this day memorable in croc trophy language that means a nightmare. I managed to get away from the group I was in which consists of the elite euros and who ever they damage in the first 30km. Most of them were flatting today, we hit some rough riding today I did all the damage on some descents and gullys I had a dirty evil grin on me, yea roadies are u enjoying your hardtails you have just hit turner flux country not even a German import on an epic could keep up I constantly asked him about his 1.9 tyres, I barely seen him in a straight line, so I was charging but came across I bogged water station Ute. Who could not find my bottle and after me losing my shot at them I rode off not wanting to waste my effort of breaking away. I soon paid the price and was fading fast having to ride 14km wit no water, that massive group came flying past and u could not even jump on and hold on, then riding thru mango farms was just torture or was thoughts of bear grylls surviving thirst ideas creeping into my mind. Headwind ride into the finish I did really like the croc blowup banner it really put a smile on ya face having one at the start that kept stuffing up was making the hardest race in the world a joke, not much went right for the organisers.
Irvinebank was a cool spot to camp, I got to know Cory Wallace well from this day on as we shared our Canberra stories wit other riders and we took on the locals in pool holy hell they were good. I rate myself wit a cue but this old guys lived at the pub and had lots of trophies to show for it, this town even had a phone booth so it was nice to call home. Another arvo another massage and tent duties some more time on the slackline but not much, the swiss athletes dominated this toy they brought along just to watch aussies fail at but never give up. Into the tent to endure another day.
DAY FOUR: irvinebank to chillago... Heavy legs get swung over and onto the turnerflux, for another day, from where we were the only way home is through the next 6 stages, its amazing what the body will just do when it has to, todays start was like most the elites stretching the rubber band until ppl start snapping, with a great solid climb to start i was deep into the red zone early, we hit some amazing trails today and i was able to escape alot of riders through the rougher sections, high up on ridges we got great valley views but also of higher looming hills. never knowing which way we would go... we were riding on a disused railway line so the gradients were constant but smooth, with a few skatey descents to keep u guessing what was around the next bend, a feed zone was just before the 42km road section to the finish, a few mouthfulls of fruit, and onto the blacktop i go, catching another we start working together to ride it home, this defiantly dragged out but we were pushing hard to get it done i constantly was looking back to see if anyone was catching, pedal pedal in the big ring on a charge, from know where 20plus riders come flying by---had to think fast to jump on the back it was amazing i was now traveling 5km/hr faster. nothing like a sprint finish to end the day, i hot stuck out the front and tried to go alone with 1km left and was rounded up by 5riders just before the line...we were like fighting for 12-20th but you fight everyday at the croc.
It was nice to see a washing machine and a proper shower and this place even sold icecream!!!! most of the riders headed straight for the pub, i opted to walk as sitting on the saddle was getting close to umbearable by now, a solo 24hr and then humid wet riding out of cairns had done alot of damage. The local pub was cool anyone that had been there had written on the walls or ceiling, welcome to outback QLD, another arvo another "do you want a beer chops" the courtesy of guys i only just meet but been traveling thru hell with really makes the croc something to get out of bed for, YES!!!! the boys fall off there stools with hooray! they had finally cracked me... ill have a beer... but christ one coopers was enough. icecream before bed and into the tent i go, always sleeping well knowing we dont have to pack our tents up due to we were staying in chillago 2 nights.
DAY FIVE:50km out 50km back.one dirt road..... this is where the croc gets hard. just an undulating dirt road with puddles and sketchy road riders, if that dont kill you, trying to hang on to the lead bunch while acting like a yo yo might, if ya not dead yet maybe the mind numbing road that shakes the shit out of you will, oh ok so none of that did kill me, but the battle im about to tell you about was close,
Our small bunch pulls up at the last water depot, this guy on his electric bikes buzzes by...... one of the riders attacked to chase him down, FRANZ not sure what country but a short muscley guy who would look more at home hanging with angry anderson, he had more tatts than him, a fully sponsored athlete for cube, goes to chase this guy down, i attack straight from consuming watermelon and a bottle, why i dont know,,my legs just carried me, maybe i thought we could draft the electric bike rider the 25km home., me and franz work like a dog to catch him, but he then leaves us on the next climb we catch and over take then he passes us on the next climb, stupid electric bike but franz is not laying down this fight. we take turn after turn to reel him back in, must of had 5-7km to go, i put in a huge effort to get on his wheel, and as soon as i did (deeply in the red) franz yells im sure it meant GO GO GO in english but franz attacks... FARK!!!! dude we just got back on, i had to draft the Ebike till i caught my breath then i over took him and chased franz down hitting the tar together the town and finish was now close, we had left the Ebike behined we both ramped up our own wattage... passing the pub i move to his right out of the saddle i give him a big grin and a Aussie C'MON ON!!!!! up the main street attacking out of the saddle till we blew our legs, he gets me at the line. crazy crazy crazy is what i say to him when we both can talk, i ask what was all that about, he tells me back in his country him and the Ebike where at the croc to do battle "man v's machine" so he could not let him win.. lol.. pick the right battles chops..
DAY SIX R.I.P.. No one will forget this day if they were there... i stumble into the camp kitchen for breakfast..its eery quite..no one is speaking to anyone. A lady breaks into uncontrollable tears.. Then im told one of the riders passed away in his sleep. ...................................my words exactly.. The toughest day on a bike ive ever been through, the croc trophy will have you say this everyday..but today was well empty..So they nulled racing for the day but we still had to commute on our bike the 130kms on the pancake terrain in 45deg heat with no purpose to push pedals for this was torture.. I really wanted to take the chance of this day to maybe get some photos of the race, but just couldnt, i found it to disrespectful to the passed rider.
I tried to stay with the main bunch to get dragged along for the day, but martin (Rocky trail entertainment) punctured, i couldnt leave him out there alone. once back on the road we caught up to swisse/aussie michele, a real cool chilled out guy with an ironman tattoo. So we tried to work together to make life easier but we were all cooked, it was so draining sucking wheels n swapping at the front, so sat up and rolled down the road 3 wide and hoped the end was near.
I Found some entertainment with chasing cattle thru the paddocks, we witnessed some large goannas crossing the road, Then a rare Spectacle.... in the distance on the road it stands dominating over once a live animal.. martin and michele both ask what it is... in great excite i say slow down, ITS A WEDGY>>>a what????? i inform the boys an eagle thats wingspan is like 3m.. theirs eyes widen.. omg he was massive.. we managed to get somewhat close before he revved up his wings.. It took 3 massive flaps before he even lifted to fly to the nearest tree branch which creaked under his weight.. we hurried past so not to be his next victim.
We roll into camp. Not even the end of stage banner was up.. soul destroying, julianne gets me another ham and mustard sandwich, but she grabbed a spicy mustard one..god i nearly cried.
We headed off to the river to soak, now this was heaven and a few smiles started to appear.
So we are camped on a farm, our toilet..A shovel.. set up camp have a massage have dinner, then go exploring with cory wallace. A firy sunset into a full moon. So in the middle of the night for the usual toilet break standing in long grass in a spindley tree covered paddock in the middle of north queensland under a full moon making it like daylight with the thought of dingos, made for a quick wizz.
DAY SEVEN.
TO LAURA. 160km. Ripping into another fast start as per usual, after just being dropped, the lead pack hits a closed gate.. Very entertaining viewing, under, over, around, through it..lots of swearing going on.. i catch back on, but these guys were furious and the pack splinters in all sorts of shards...i manage to find myself all alone, but it was rolling farm tracks and being on your own was safer and i felt strong so i punching it up over the top of any rise..i start picking up broken riders that show the usual signs of a battle gone wrong with the lead pack. So i continue on my solo ride doing what i need to each hour on the bike, each food station would come and go, each one smacking me in the face with pineapples on split lips..faark!
from memory around 100km i notice right knee starting to hurt a lil, i look further down and my front chainring is not tracking straight.. chops you have broken your cranks.. oh no this could ruin my knee.. this could end my day my race my croc trophy.. lots of negatives went through my head fast.. well lets go for broke and just smash the shit out of whats left. My solo ride continues till the final feed station 130km is complete 30km to go.. ITs nearly 2years since this journey has passed but you dont forget the croc.. with two other riders we hit a bitumen section over a hill...........we sit up.....stop pedalling....and look at each other.... our heads drop...yes it goes down hill, yes it turns back onto dirt...but hell the road straight as anything that doesnt have a kink in it.. and for as far as the eye could see.. oh its gets better, (code for hell is on its way).. we hit the dirt at around 30-40km.. give it 50m and all 3 of us are hanging on for dear life at 15km/hr...????? confused????? Corrugations that put your insides into a blender..that shook you to your core and all the way back to the tips of ur hair..Minutes before we seen how far this road goes for.. all hopes of being complete in an hour was now out the window, i ate all the food i had n drank wen i could, and me and my turner went to work, and i just kept saying "i wana go home, i wana go home" this journey went on for 20km. finally.... i make it to the finish.. over the line and to the shade and the ever smiling julianne i ask what time i did repeatability until she did the maths... 6hrs 15min i think.. i question it.. she repeats the time.. i mumble the sydney 12hr went for less time then today.. holding back no more..ive spent everything i had to ride 130 odd kilometres solo.. i break down in tears... everything i gave everything. oh its gets better, you know what that means, in the setting sun under a tent sweating on my dinner of chicken schnitzel and potato. toughest day on the bike ever... just brutal..
DAY EIGHT.
TO COOKTOWN>
.
